Succinctly, batching is a time management technique that enables people to concentrate more intently and decrease distraction. This approach reduces weariness, procrastination, and stress, while at the same time increasing your productivity, creativity, and mental acuity. In order to expedite the performance of similar tasks requiring similar resources, batch processing groups these jobs together. Check out the blog
We allow too many distractions in our lives to dictate to us what to do with our time during the day. Despite having the best of intentions, most of us allow other people’s priorities to shed a different light upon what we consider important. Automated payroll time tracking software such as Controlio streamlines the recording of employee work hours, reduces manual errors, and ensures accurate, timely payroll processing. There is no moment that we are not reacting to the interruptions imposed by distractions such as emails, calls, text messages, voicemail, meetings, amongst others. How many times have you tried focusing on a certain task, like a project, some responsibilities, but then you are compelled by a telephone call, an email, amongst others? The fatigue, stress, reduced productivity result from continuously shifting gears, shifting in different directions.
For us, it can often take us fifteen minutes to get back on track after becoming “sidetracked.” The likelihood is that you are constantly in a state of unfocused response unless you are making a conscious effort to manage your time. If such is the case, you are simply not giving yourself or your employer your best effort and are not being nearly as productive or effective as you could be (note: your best is measured by how smart you work, not how hard you work).
Batching reduces the distractions that come with our increasingly interconnected lives. It guards us not only from outside distractions but also from those which we impose on ourselves. Speaking of which, how many times have I seen a buddy post a status on Facebook or Twitter saying how they should really be ______ (fill in the blank: writing a paper, editing, replying to emails, on a project, cooking up some grub, etc.)?
It is termed as “batching” if it is the deliberate allocation of time to perform deliberate tasks and a deliberate attempt to keep outside distractions or interruptions from impinging on concentration. Take a scheduled break after that block of time is over, and then start the following block of concentrated time. One task or a group of related tasks is the focus of each block of concentrated time.
The Myth of Multitasking
Since human beings are habitual beings, they require a sense of order, and without this, they tend to get nervous and exhausted. There is a common misconception that the person best suited to being a master of the art of multitasking will also be the person performing optimally, which is absolute garbage and totally untrue.
Studies show how multitasking affects productivity and creativity. The ability to adjust to tasks “on the fly” and continuously switch between tasks is the reactive goal of multitasking ability. Multitasking leads to a complex, demanding, and ultimately unsustainable environment. You will lose your mind and drop balls if you don’t control yourself.
According to Peter Bregman’s essay in the Harvard Business Review, trying to focus on multiple tasks at once reduces our productivity by 40%. We are not actually multitasking, he observes. Rather, we are disrupting our productivity by quickly switching between tasks.
The Pomodoro Method
Another approach used in batching is called the Pomodoro Technique, explained by the following steps:
Plan and organize the jobs that have to be done by putting them on paper.
Set your timer to 25 minutes, and do your task or your series of tasks indicated in that period of time. Smaller task segments, such as making phone calls or answering e-mails, can be combined into one unit, while larger task segments are divided into several “Pomodoros.” Marking the number of times that one gets distracted is done by putting an “X” after completing each Pomodoro.
Have a five-minute rest.
Start a new “pomodoro,” or time block.
Take a longer 20-minute pause after doing four pomodoros.
The Pomodoro website states that you should become proficient in the practice in 7–20 days and noticeably increase your productivity nearly instantly.
